This section of scripture emphasizes the difference between righteousness by the law, and righteousness by faith …
Israel next met resistance from the king of Arad, but soundly defeated him. The next stop was Mount Hor where Aaron died. Then they traveled south and east around Oboth. As the Israelites marched toward the promised land, “What shall we eat?” and “What shall we dri …
Paul knew how to balance rebuke with love. Within this text he shows through sentimental argument how he is genuinely and passionately interested in the Galatians personally. He turns from “spanking” to “embracing” as he reminds them of how they have loved him …
In the previous passage Paul asked the weak Christian, “Why are you judging your brother?” Then he asked the strong Christian, “Why are you despising your brother?” Both the strong and the weak will one day stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. They will not be judging each other, but …
In order to understand the book of Malachi a person needs to know to whom it was written. These people were fighting God and unwilling to trust Him or even listen to His messenger. Israel had just returned from exile and the nation of Edom was still in bondage to the Chaldeans. T …
While in prison Joseph met two people: the butler and the baker (vv. 1-4). The “butler†was the king’s cupbearer, and the “baker†cooked the king’s bread. Both had offended the king and been sent to prison. One morning, Joseph observed that the two men were very upset. He asked them …
When David’s scheme to have Uriah spend time with his wife failed he ordered Joab to send him to the front lines where he would be killed. The messenger reported to David the details of the battle (vv. 18-21). The Ammonites had pushed the Israelites back from the city. Joab, howe …
Psalm 122 begins with a group of excited pilgrims, singing as they make their ascent to the “City of God.†The thrones for judgment possibly refer to the courts of justice by the town gate (v. 5; See also Ruth 4:1-2, II Sam. 19:8, and Neh. 8:1). The psalmist prayed an intercessory prayer on …
The first eight verses give us details about Esau and his family; his wives who he chose from the women of Canaan (vv. 1-3), his sons (vv. 4-5), and his enormous wealth (vv. 6-8). Esau was Edom and the Edomites were his descendants. He had three wives, Adah, Oholibamah and Basemath …
In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life here on earth he skips over the next 30 years or so and picks up with an introduction of John the Baptist (vv. 1-6). John is presented as the prophet sent in the spirit of Elijah “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Mal. 4:5). He was …